A Lady Writing - Jan Vermeer

Click on the image above to see a larger versionEverything about this painting states richness and wealth, from the luxurious clothing the lady is wearing to the rare and precious objects on the table. She is looking out at the viewer as if she has just paused at her letter, the quill is still poised on the paper she is writing on and she has the hint of a smile on her face as if she is hinting at secrets she is willing to share with you the viewer. The woman's face is shown with more detail than the majority of Vermeer's paintings and it has been suggested that the model is the artists wife.